Method of treating neutrophil-related diseases with topical anesthetics

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic method is provided to treat neutrophil-associated pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, by locally administering to a mammal in need of such treatment, an effective amount of a topical anesthetic, such as lidocaine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/300,846 filed Dec. 15, 2005, now abandoned which is a continuation ofSer. No. 10/683,808 filed on Oct. 10, 2003 now abandoned which is adivisional under 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b) of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/326,224 filed Dec. 20, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,861,449, which is acontinuation under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) of International Application No.PCT/US01/19977 filed Jun. 22, 2001 and published in English as WO02/00218 A2 on Jan. 3, 2002, which claimed priority from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/214,031 filed Jun. 23, 2000, whichapplications and publication are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are several neutrophil-associated pulmonary diseases, includingchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis (CB),pulmonary emphysema, α-1 anti-trypsin deficiency, cystic fibrosis,idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

In chronic bronchitis there is cough and mucous hypersecretion withenlargement of tracheobronchial submucosal glands and a disproportionateincrease of mucous acini. CD8+ve lymphocytes predominate over CD4+vecells and there are increased numbers of subepithelial macrophages andintra-epithelial neutrophils. Exacerbations of bronchitis are associatedwith a tissue eosinophilia, apparent absence of IL-5 protein but geneexpression for IL-4 and IL-5 is present. In small or peripheral airwaysdisease, there is inflammation of bronchioli and mucous metaplasia andhyperplasia, with increased intraluminal mucus, increased wall muscle,fibrosis, and airway stenoses (also referred to as chronic obstructivebronchiolitis). Respiratory bronchiolitis involving increased numbers ofpigmented macrophages is a critically important early lesion.Increasingly severe peribronchiolitis includes infiltration of Tlymphocytes in which the CD8+subset again predominates. Theseinflammatory changes may predispose to the development of centrilobularemphysema and reduced FEV1 via the destruction of alveolar attachments.

In emphysema there is abnormal, permanent enlargement of airspacesdistal to the terminal bronchiolus (i.e. within the acinus) accompaniedby destruction of alveolar walls and without obvious fibrosis. Theseverity of emphysema, rather than type, appears to be the mostimportant determinant of chronic deterioration of airflow, and in thisthere may be significant loss of elastic recoil and microscopicemphysema prior to the observed macroscopic destruction of the acinus.Airway obstruction and chronic expectoration, as well as accelerateddecline in lung function, are associated with increased numbers ofneutrophils in the sputum of smokers and ex-smokers.

COPD is a complex condition with an imprecise definition, which makes adefinitive morphological description difficult. Chronic bronchitis andCOPD are caused by a predominantly neutrophilic bronchial inflammationwith sputum production and periodic flares of increased cough and sputumvolume, often associated with shortness of breath. COPD generally refersto those patients that have associated parenchymal emphysematous changeswith loss of lung compliance, increased air trapping, and reducedexpired lung volumes and expiratory flow rates. It is believed thatemphysematous changes are also the result of neutrophil-inducedparenchymal damage. Barnes, P. J. Chest 117:10S014S (2000). Neutrophilsare present in large numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage and in sputum ofpatients with chronic bronchitis and COPD, and sputum neutrophilscorrelate inversely to the FEV1 in patients with COPD. Yamamoto, C. etal., Chest 112:505-510 (1997); Peleman, R. A. et al., Eur. Resp. Journal13:839-843 (1999). Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is believed to play a primaryrole in this activation. Peleman, R. A. et al., Eur. Resp. Journal13:839-843 (1999); Pesci, A. et al., Respiratory Medicine 92:863-870(1998).

IL-8 is a chemoattractant and granule release stimulus for neutrophils.Increased concentrations of IL-8 are found in the sputum andbronchoalveolar lavage fluids of patients with COPD and chronicbronchitis, and these concentrations correlate with the number ofneutrophils recovered. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid IL-8 concentrationsare higher in cigarette smokers than in nonsmokers, and cigarette smokeconcentrate induces IL-8 release from cultured human bronchialepithelial cells. “Cigarette Smoke Induces Interleukin-8 Release fromHuman Bronchial Epithelial Cells,” Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.,155:1770 (1990). Nicotine prolongs neutrophil survival by suppressingapoptosis. Aoshiba, K. et al., J. Lab Clin. Med. 127:186-194 (1996).

The role of glucocorticoids in the treatment of COPD is controversial.As opposed to the eosinophilic inflammation of asthma, this type ofinflammation is relatively glucocorticoid resistant when treated witheither systemic or topical glucocorticoids. Studies have shown thatinhaled steroids have little anti-inflammatory effect, and that theinflammatory process in COPD is resistant to the anti-inflammatoryeffect on glucocorticoids. Barnes P. J., Am J. Resp. & Critical CareMed. 160:S72-9 (1999); Keatings, V. M et al., Am J. Resp. & CriticalCare Med. 155:542-548 (1997); Culpitt S. V., et al., Am J. Resp. &Critical Care Med. 160:1635-1639 (1999). Furthermore, studies have shownthat glucocorticoids have no effect on the long-term decline ofpulmonary function in patients with COPD. Vestbo, J. et al., Lancet353:1819-1823 (1999). Sputum IL-8 concentrations correlate withlong-term decline of pulmonary function in COPD, and glucocorticoidtreatment in these patients does not result in reduction of neutrophilsor IL-8, even in those patients with COPD who have eosinophils in theirsputum. It has been recently shown that some patients with severe asthmahave only neutrophils in their sputum, and these patients do not respondto glucocorticoids. At this time, there is no effectiveanti-inflammatory therapy for these patients.

Other than smoking cessation, there is no established treatment for theneutrophilic inflammation in chronic bronchitis and COPD, nor theprogressive pulmonary function decline in patients with COPD. Becausethe majority of these patients have smoking as an etiologic factor intheir disease, smoking cessation has been the only preferred treatment.Hurd, S. et al., Chest 117:1S-4S (2000). Unfortunately, smokingcessation is not a realistic therapeutic remedy in the vast number ofpatients effected. Despite many different types of intervention programsfor nicotine dependence, the long-term abstinence rate for smokers isonly about 20-25%. This means that over three fourths of these patients(about 25% of the US adult population) continue to smoke and developneutrophilic airway inflammation, and risk sustaining variable degreesof progressive airway and parenchymal damage. Furthermore, smokingcessation may take years to accomplish or not be possible at all formost patients who smoke. Finally, there is evidence that in somepatients, especially those with COPD, that there can be ongoingneutrophilic airway inflammation that continues after smoking cessation.Rutgers, S. R. et al., Thorax 55:12-18 (2000); Maziak, W. et al., Am. J.Resp. Crit. Care Med. 157:998-1002 (1998); Turato, G. et al., Am. J.Resp. Crit. Care Med. 152:1262-1267 (1995).

Pulmonary emphysema is defined as an abnormal, permanent enlargement ofthe air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles with destruction ofthe air space walls, but without obvious fibrosis. Central to thepathogenesis of emphysema is lung destruction resulting from inadequateprotection of the alveoli against enzymes released by inflammatorycells. The proteolytic enzymes implicated in the development ofemphysema include neutrophil elastase, a major serine protease containedwithin neutrophil granules.

In α₁-Antitrypsin Deficiency disease, there is a deficiency of theprotein neutralizing neutrophil elastase, namely α₁-antitrypsin.Moreover, there is evidence that the numbers of neutrophils migratinginto the lung parenchyma is increased. Because of the inadequatedefenses against neutrophil elastase, uninhibited neutrophil elastase isfree to interact with substrates and inflammatory cells activating them.The result of this process is proteolytic destruction by neutrophilelastase of the fragile alveolar walls culminating in a gradualdestruction of alveoli. This process is strikingly accelerated incigarette smokers.

Cystic fibrosis is a common hereditary disorder of Caucasians andrepresents the most aggressive form of bronchitis known. Respiratorymanifestations of cystic fibrosis develop at an early age, even in thefirst year of life. Frequent respiratory infections occur withproduction of thick, sticky sputum. The clinical course is punctuated byacute exacerbations of inflammation and infection of the airways withprogressive deterioration of airway function. The pulmonary inflammationtypical of cystic fibrosis resembles that of α₁-antitrypsin deficiencyand the epithelial surface of the lung in both disorders is burdened byneutrophil elastase and oxidants. However, in cystic fibrosis thebronchial inflammation is much more intense and the numbers ofneutrophils in the airway epithelial lining fluid may be 500 timesgreater than in normal individuals. Although the pathogenesis of airwayinflammation in patients with cystic fibrosis remains the subject ofdebate, nonetheless neutrophil elastase is implicated as playing acritical role. In cystic fibrosis, the normal protective defensesagainst proteases are intact, but the inflammation on the airwayepithelial surface is so intense that these defenses against neutrophilelastase are overwhelmed and rendered ineffective.

The bronchitis associated with cystic fibrosis is the most aggressiveform of bronchitis known, but the bronchitis associated with cigarettesmoking is by far the most common. The population of inflammatory cellsincludes increased numbers of neutrophils, and they release an increasedburden of oxidants and proteases including neutrophil elastase on theairway epithelial surface. Here, as in cystic fibrosis, it is assumedthat the defenses of the airway against proteases are overwhelmed by theinflammation, albeit not to the extent as in cystic fibrosis.

The etiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is unknown, however,evidence exists that these patients show an inflamed lower respiratorytract even before the development of frank fibrosis. Among theinflammatory cells, neutrophils are prominent. It is believed thatactivated inflammatory cells damage alveolar structures by releasingoxidants and proteases, and that these reactants play a major role ininjury to the epithelium and endothelium in idiopathic pulmonaryfibrosis.

Considerable evidence links inflammation to the pathology of Acute(Adult) Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Moreover, the neutrophil,in particular, with its extensive armamentarium of toxins, which caninjure and destroy host tissue, has been implicated as an importantmediator of ARDS.

Therefore, there is a driving need to develop new and effectivetreatments for neutrophil-associated pulmonary diseases such as COPD,CB, pulmonary emphysema, α-1 anti-trypsin deficiency, cystic fibrosis,idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for treating aneutrophil-associated pulmonary disease by locally administering to therespiratory tract of an afflicted human an amount of a therapeuticpreparation containing a topical anesthetic effective to counteract thesymptoms of the disease. The therapeutic preparation may be administeredin combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid vehicle, andmay be administered by spraying or by nebulization. The topicalanesthetic of the therapeutic preparation may be administered at a dailydose of about 2.0-15 m/kg. The neutrophil-associated pulmonary diseaseto be treated by the present invention may be chronic obstructivepulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis (CB), cystic fibrosis, α-1anti-trypsin deficiency, pulmonary emphysema, adult respiratory distresssyndrome, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The topical anesthetic may be bupivacaine, dibucaine, an N-arylamide, anester between a carboxylic acid of the general formula:(R²)(R³)ArCO₂H,wherein Ar is C₆H₃ and each R² and R³ is H, halo, (R¹)(H)N—, wherein R¹is (C₁-C₅)alkyl, H₂N—, or (C₂-C₅)alkoxy; and an alcohol of the generalformula:(R⁴)(R⁵)N(X)OHwherein X is a (C₁-C₅) branched- or straight-chain alkylene; R⁴ is H or(C₁-C₄)alkyl, R⁵ is (C₁-C₄)alkyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together can be a5- or 6-membered heterocycloalkiphatic ring, optionally substituted by(C₁-C₃)alkyl or having an additional ring O- or N-atom; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In one embodiment, the topicalanesthetic may be an N—(C₇-C₂₂)arylamide of an amino-substituted(C₁-C₅)carboxylic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.Alternatively, the topical anesthetic may be an N—[(mono- ordi-(C₁-C₄)alkyl)phenyl]amide of an aliphatic (C₁-C₅)carboxylic acid,wherein said acid is substituted with (R)(R′)N—, wherein R is H or(C₁-C₅)alkyl and R′ is (C₁-C₅)alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof. In particular, the topical anesthetic may be lidocaine,prilocaine, etidocaine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.Further, the topical anesthetic may be an aminoalkylbenzoate or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The topical anesthetic may beprocaine, chloroprocaine, dyclonine, tetracaine, benoxinate,proparacaine, meprylcaine, piperocaine or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graphical depiction of the time course of superoxide anionproduction by unstimulated neutrophils in the presence and absence of 3mM lidocaine. Note that no superoxide anion is produced by theunstimulated neutrophils.

FIG. 2 is a graphical depiction of the effect of tumor necrosis factor(TNF) on neutrophils. Note that in the presence of TNF-α, considerablesuperoxide anion is released from the neutrophil by 30 minutes and stillresides at 120 minutes. In contrast, 3 mM lidocaine, virtually totallysuppresses the TNF-α stimulated neutrophils superoxide anion production.

FIG. 3 is a graphical depiction of the effect of phorbol-myristateacetate (PMA) on neutrophil superoxide anion production. The resultsshow that PMA stimulates superoxide anion very considerably, but thatlidocaine does not alter this production. The inability of lidocaine toalter PMA stimulate superoxide anion production indicates that lidocaineis not toxic to the neutrophil.

FIG. 4 is a graphical depiction of sputum WBC before and after lidocainetreatment.

FIG. 5 is a graphical depiction of sputum PMN before and after lidocainetreatment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are graphical depictions of the effect of C5a andlidocaine on neutrophil superoxide anion production. The results showthat C5a stimulates superoxide anion production. In contrast, lidocainesuppresses the C5a stimulated neutrophils superoxide anion production.

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of the effect of lidocaine onlactoferrin release.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term “treatment” as used herein includes any treatment of acondition or disease in a human, and includes inhibiting the disease orcondition, (i.e. arresting its development), relieving the disease orcondition (i.e. causing regression of the condition), or relieving theconditions caused by the disease (i.e. symptoms of the disease).

The term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to that amount whichis sufficient to effect treatment, as defined herein, when administeredto a human in need of such treatment. The therapeutically effectiveamount will vary depending on the subject and disease state beingtreated, the severity of the affliction and the manner ofadministration, and may be determined routinely by one of ordinary skillin the art.

Topical Anesthetics

Topical anesthetics, all of which are believed to be useful in thepresent invention, are an art-recognized class of drugs whichtemporarily interrupt mammalian nerve transmissions. They can generallybe grouped into two chemical classifications structurally; theN-arylamides or carboxamides, such as lidocaine; and theaminoalkylbenzoates, such as procaine, benoxinate and proparacaine.Preferred N-aryl amides are N—(C₇-C₂₂)arylamides of amino-substituted(C₁-C₅)carboxylic acids, e.g., N—[(mono- ordi-(C₁-C₄)alkyl)phenyl]amides of aliphatic (C₁-C₅)carboxylic acids,which acids are preferably substituted with the moiety (R)(R¹)N— whereinR and R¹ are each (C₁-C₅)alkyl. For example, a preferred carboxylic acidcan have the general formula (R)(R¹)N(X)CO₂H wherein R and R¹ are asdefined above and X is a branched- or straight-chain (C₁-C₅)alkylenegroup such as 1,1-ethylene, 1,2-ethylene, methylene, 2,2-propylene,1,3-propylene, and the like. Another preferred class of N-arylamides arethe N—[(mono- or di-(C₁-C₄)alkyl)phenyl]amides of 5- or6-membered-heterocycloaliphatic carboxylic acids, which acids have oneor two [(C₁-C₄)alkyl-substituted]N atoms, i.e.,N-butylpiperidine-2-carboxylic acid.

The aminoalkylbenzoates include esters between benzoic acids andalcohols of the general formula (R⁴)(R⁵)—N(X)OH, wherein X is as definedabove, R⁴ is H or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, R⁵ is (C₁-C₄)alkyl or R⁴ and R⁵ takentogether are a 5- or 6-membered heterocycloaliphatic ring, optionallysubstituted by (C₁-C₃)alkyl or having an additional ring O- or N-atom.The benzoic acid moiety can be the moiety (R²)(R³)ArCO₂H wherein Ar isan aromatic —C₆H₃— radical or “phenylene” and (phenylene) and each R²and R³ is H, halo, preferably C₁, (R⁵)(H)N—, H₂N— or (C₁-C₅)alkoxy.

Useful topical anesthetics include lidocaine((2-diethylamino)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetamide) (see Lofgren et al.(U.S. Pat. No. 2,441,498), May & Baker (British Patent No. 706409) andJ. F. Macfarlane & Co. (British Patent No. 758,224)); bupivacaine(1-butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-piperidinecarboxyamide) (see Thuressonet al., (U.S. Pat. No. 2,955,111) and Sterling Drug (British Patent Nos.1,166,802 and 1,180,712)); mepivacaine (2-piperidinecarboxyamide,-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-1-methyl), chloroprocaine (4-amino-2-chlorobenzoicacid 2-(diethylamino)ethyl ester); procaine (4-aminobenzoic acid2-(diethylamino)ethyl ester); etidocaine(N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-(ethylpropylamino)butanamide; see, Astra(German Patent No. 2162744)); tetracaine (4-(butylamino)benzoic acid2-(dimethylaminoethyl ester; see Shupe (U.S. Pat. No. 3,272,700));benoxinate (4-amino-3-butoxybenzoic acid 2-(diethylamino)ethyl ester(U.K. Patent No. 654,484)); proparacaine (3-amino-4-propoxybenzoic acid2-(diethylamino)ethyl ester); dibucaine(3-butoxy-N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-4-quinolinecarboxyamide; Miescher(U.S. Pat. No. 1,825,623)); dyclonine(1-(4-butoxyphenyl)-3-(1-piperidinyl-1-propanone)); isobucaine(1-propanol, 2-methyl-2-[(2-methylpropyl)amino]benzoate; meprylcaine([(2-methyl)(2-propylamino)propyl]benzoate); piperocaine((2-methylpiperidin-1-ylpropyl(benzoate)); prilocaine(N-(2-methylphenyl)-2-(propylamino)propanamide); propoxycaine(2-(diethylamino)ethyl-([2′-methyl-4′-amino]benzoate)); pyrrocaine(1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetamide; butacaine(((3-dibutylamino)propyl)-(2′-amionobenzoate)); cyclomethylcaine(((3-(2′-methylproperidine-1-yl))propyl)[4′-cyclohexyloxy-benzoate]);dimethyisoquin, diperodon, hexylcaine(([(2-cyclohexylamino)(1-methyl)]ethyl)(benzoate); proparacaine(((2-diethylamino)ethyl) [(4′-propyloxyl-3′-amino)benzoate]); cocaineand its analogs (see, F. I. Carroll et al., J. Med. Chem., 34, 2719(1991); Eur. J. Pharmacol., 1.84, 329 (1990); and the pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof. Preferred salts include the amine additionsalts of inorganic and organic acids, e.g., the hydrochloride,hydrobromide, sulfate, oxalate, fumarate, citrate, malate, propionateand phosphate salts. The hydrochloride and sulfate salts are preferredfor use in the present invention.

These topical anesthetics and the salts thereof are discussed in detailin Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, A. Osol, ed., Mack Pub. Co.,Easton, Pa. (16th ed. 1980), and in The Merck Index (11th ed. 1989).

Administration and Dosages

While it is possible that, for use in therapy, the topical anestheticsor their salts may be administered as the pure dry chemicals, as byinhalation of a fine powder via an insufflator, it is preferable topresent the active ingredient as a pharmaceutical formulation. Theinvention thus further provides a pharmaceutical formulation having oneor more topical anesthetics, or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carrierstherefor and, optionally, other therapeutic and/or prophylacticingredients. The carrier(s) must be “acceptable” in the sense of beingcompatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and notdeleterious to the recipient thereof.

Pharmaceutical formulations include those suitable for administration byinhalation or insufflation or for nasal, intraocular or other topical(including buccal and sub-lingual) administration. The formulations may,where appropriate, be conveniently presented in discrete dosage unitsand may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art ofpharmacy. All methods include the step of bringing into association theactive compound with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers orboth.

For administration to the upper (nasal) or lower respiratory tract byinhalation, the compounds according to the invention are convenientlydelivered from an insufflator, nebulizer or a pressurized pack or otherconvenient means of delivering an aerosol spray. Pressurized packs mayhave a suitable propellant such as dichlorodifluoromethane,trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide orother suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol, the dosageunit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount.

Alternatively, for administration by inhalation or insufflation, thecompounds according to the invention may take the form of a dry powdercomposition, for example, a powder mix of the compound and a suitablepowder base such as lactose or starch. The powder composition may bepresented in unit dosage form in, for example, capsules or cartridges.Alternatively, it may be provided in gelatin or blister packs from whichthe powder may be administered with the aid of an inhalator, insufflatoror a metered-dose inhaler.

For intra-nasal administration, the compounds of the invention may beadministered via nose drops, a liquid spray, such as via a plasticbottle atomizer or metered-dose inhaler. Typical of atomizers are theMistometer (Wintrop) and the Medihaler (Riker).

Drops, such as eye drops or nose drops, may be formulated with anaqueousor non-aqueous base also having one or more dispersing agents,solubilizing agents or suspending agents. Liquid sprays are convenientlydelivered from pressurized packs. Drops can be delivered via a simpleeye dropper-capped bottle, or via a plastic bottle adapted to deliverliquid contents dropwise, via a specially shaped closure.

For topical administration to the eye, nasal membranes or to the skin,the compounds according to the invention may be formulated as ointments,creams or lotions, or as a transdermal patch or intraocular insert.Ointments and creams may, for example, be formulated with an aqueous oroily base with the addition of suitable thickening and/or gellingagents. Lotions may be formulated with an aqueous or oily base and willin general also contain one or more emulsifying agents, stabilizingagents, dispersing agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, orcoloring agents.

Formulations suitable for topical administration in the mouth or throatinclude lozenges having active ingredient in a flavored base, usuallysucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles having the active ingredientin an inert base such as gelatin and glycerin or sucrose and acacia; andmouthwashes having the active ingredient in a suitable liquid carrier.

When desired, the above-described formulations adapted to give sustainedrelease of the active ingredient may be employed, e.g., by combinationwith certain hydrophilic polymer matrices. The pharmaceuticalcompositions according to the invention may also contain other activeingredients such as antimicrobial agents, or preservatives. Thecompounds of the invention may also be used in combination with othertherapeutic agents, such as bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory agents.

It will be further appreciated that the amount of a compound of theinvention required for use in treatment will vary not only with theparticular compound selected but also with the route of administration,the nature of the condition being treated and the age and condition ofthe patient and will be ultimately at the discretion of the attendantphysician. In general, however, a suitable unit dose for counteractingrespiratory tract symptomology will deliver from about 0.05 to about10-15 mg/kg, e.g., from about 0.10 to about 5.0 mg/kg of body weight perday.

The desired dose may conveniently be presented in a single dose or asdivided doses administered at appropriate intervals, for example, astwo, three, four or more sub-doses per day. The sub-dose itself may befurther divided, e.g. into a number of discrete loosely spacedadministrations; such as multiple inhalations from an insufflator or byapplication of a plurality of drops into the eye or nose.

The invention will be further described by reference to the followingdetailed Examples.

EXAMPLE 1 Inhibition of Neutrophil Superoxide Production by Lidocaine

Lidocaine has an inhibitory effect on neutrophil superoxide production.Neutrophils were purified from heparinized venous blood of normalvolunteers by sedimentation through a cushion of 1.085 gm/ml Percollmade in PIPES buffer, pH 7.4, supplemented with 50 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 25mM NaOH, and 5.4 mM glucose) and centrifuged at 2,000 rmp in a BeckmanCS-6KR centrifuge for 30 minutes with no brake. Plasma, mononuclearcells, and Percoll layers were removed and the erythrocytes were lysedby osmotic shock. The remaining pellet, which was ˜90% neutrophils, wasused in the experiment.

The superoxide production was measured using cytochrome c reduction in aplate assay at a concentration of 50,000 neutrophils/well and was donein duplicate. There was no superoxide release in the absence ofstimulus; TNF-alpha induced superoxide release was almost totallyinhibited by 3 mM lidocaine, but PMA induced superoxide production wasnot inhibited by lidocaine. See FIGS. 1-3.

EXAMPLE 2 Case Report of Patient with Bronchitis Treated with LidocaineInhalation

The patient was a 36-year-old female first seen in 1996 with a six monthhistory of harsh cough affecting her both during the night and the day.Copious (about 50 ml per day), thick, yellow to white sputum wasproduced. She was often awakened at night with chest heaviness anddyspnea. Albuterol treatment reduced the cough and minimally alleviatedthe chest tightness. The patient was treated with prednisone andantibiotics on two occasions and this treatment improved her symptoms,but did not eliminate the sputum production. The patient worked as ascrub nurse in an operating room, but she did not note any worsening ofher symptoms while at work or at home. When initially evaluated, thepatient was receiving prednisone, 30 mg every other day, Salmeteroltwice daily and Asthmacort four inhalations four times a day. Two sputumexaminations revealed a striking infiltration with neutrophilicleukocytes.

The patient's past medical history was relevant in that in 1993 she hadthe onset and diagnosis of chronic ulcerative colitis. Her symptoms weresevere and difficult to control despite the use of prednisone,Asulfadine and glucocorticoid enemas. In 1995 she underwent a subtotalcolectomy and the pathology was consistent with severe ulcerativecolitis.

Physical examination was unremarkable save for bilateral rhonchi andscattered wheezes. She did have an ileostomy with a stump and pouchinflammation.

Laboratory evaluation was unremarkable save for the presence of adiffusing capacity for carbon monoxide which was at the borderlinebetween normal and abnormally low and a flow volume contour which wasbelieved to indicate mild pulmonary obstruction. Skin tests for inhalantallergens were positive to several inhalants and allergens.

The patient was treated with lidocaine by inhalation, the prednisone wasreduced and subsequently stopped and the other medications were stopped.While under lidocaine therapy, her sputum volume and cough diminishedstrikingly over a span of three weeks. The patient continued lidocainetherapy for the following year and when interviewed in early 1998reported continued improvement on a regimen of lidocaine by inhalationand occasional courses of antibiotics.

EXAMPLE 3 Treatment of Airway Neutrophilia in Chronic Bronchitis andCOPD

In preliminary studies, it was discovered that lidocaine has potentanti-inflammatory properties with the ability, in vitro, to inhibitcytokine-stimulated eosinophilopoesis and prolongation of survival,activation, respiratory burst, and degranulation of eosinophils. Okada.S. et al., J. Immunol. 160:4010-4017 (1998). Subsequent in vivo studieshave shown that lidocaine inhalation reduces or eliminates systemicglucocorticoids in most adult (Hunt, L. W. et al., Mayo Clinic Proc.71:361-368 (1996)) and pediatric (Decco, M. L. et al., Ann. AllergyAsthma Immunol. 82:29-32 (1999)) patients with steroid-dependent asthma,and is able to replace topical glucocorticoids in patients with mild tomoderate asthma. In the latter study, nebulized lidocaine also preventedthe rise in peripheral blood eosinophils when topical glucocorticoidswere withdrawn.

In vitro studies show that lidocaine inhibits depolarization ofneutrophil membrane potential, superoxide generation andchemiluminescence response in neutrophils in a concentration-dependentmanner. Tomoda, M. et al., Masui-Japanese J. Anesthesiology 41:369-375(1992); Mikawa, K. et al., Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavia 41:524-528(1997); Hattori, M. et al., Anesthesia and Analgesia 84:405-412 (1997).Inhibition of neutrophil aggregation and degranulation has also beenshown. Hattori, M. et al., Anesthesia and Analgesia 84:405-412 (1997);Haines, K. A. et al., J. of Immunology 144:4757-4764 (1990). Lidocainealso inhibits activation of neutrophils by G-CSF (Ohsaka, A. et al.,Experimental Hematology 22:460-466 (1994)), TNF-α (Kanbara, T. et al.,Biochemical Pharmacology 45:1593-1598 (1993)), and GM-CSF. In animalmodels of neutrophil-mediated injury, lidocaine inhibits neutrophiltissue damage induced by hydrochloric acid (Nishina, K. et al.,Anesthesiology 83:169-177 (1998)), reperfusion injury (Lamos, J. et al.,Arch Internationales De Pharmacodynamie et de Therapie 331:179-188(1996); Schmid, R. A. et al., Annals of Thoracic Surgery 61:949-955(1996)), and endotoxin (Nishina, K. et al., Anesthesiology 83:169-177(1995)).

Little human data is available on the effects of lidocaine onneutrophil-mediated lung disease. A patient with inflammatory boweldisease-associated severe bronchitis who had symptoms of copious sputumproduction (in excess of 150 mi/day), daily cough and chest tightness,and shortness of breath on exertion, who had not responded to topical orsystemic glucocorticoids and multiple rounds of antibiotics over an 18month period was treated. Lamos, J. et al., Arch Internationales DePharmacodynamie et de Therapie 331:179-188 (1996). This patient had noeosinophils in the sputum, did not respond to bronchodilators, had no CTscan evidence of bronchiectasis, a negative methacholine challenge, andhad never smoked. Within six weeks of starting nebulized lidocaine (100mg four times daily), the sputum volume diminished to zero and the coughand chest tightness disappeared.

Methods

A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study is conductedinvolving 50 patients with chronic bronchitis and COPD. The fiftypatients are recruited over a two year period for study. Twenty-fivesubjects are treated with nebulized lidocaine (100 mg four times daily)and twenty five with nebulized saline over a 4 week period. Outcomevariables include sputum total white and neutrophil count, sputuminterleukin-8 (IL-8), peripheral blood neutrophil count, forcedexpiratory volume in one second (FEV1), weekly symptom score, and dailysputum volume. Additionally, all patients perform peak flow measurementsand record their symptoms twice daily in diaries. All patients in thestudy are selected on the basis of being recent cigarette smokers whohave stopped smoking within four weeks of study enrollment, and have asputum total neutrophil cell count of >5×10⁵ cells.

50 patients, 18 to 75 years of age who have quit smoking within onemonth of entry into the study, with chronic bronchitis and COPD asdefined by ATS criteria are selected and studied (Definition andClassification of Chronic Bronchitis, Asthma, and Pulmonary Emphysema:Statement by ATS Committee on Diagnostic Standards for Non-TuberculousRespiratory Disease, Am. Rev. Resp. Dis., 85, 762 (1962)). The patientshave not been treated with either topical or systemic glucocorticoids,and have not had an acute respiratory infection for at least one month.Additionally, the patients maintain any present medications that theyare taking for the duration of the study. All patients selected musthave an initial sputum neutrophil cell count of equal or greater than5.0×10⁵ cells.

The patients are randomized on the basis of sex and similar pulmonaryfunction values, and duration in weeks of smoking cessation. Allsubjects are asked to maintain smoking abstinence for the study durationand are issued symptom diaries and peak flow meters. After a one week“run-in” period, the subjects return to the clinic, have a review oftheir symptom diaries, and begin either placebo (2.5 cc or nebulizedsaline) or nebulized lidocaine (2.5 cc of 4% solution, or 100 mg, FDAIND #, 046891) four times daily for one month (see Study Design below).All patients have a physical examination, a CXR, complete blood count,serum cotinine, spirometry with bronchodilator, and sputum collectionfor sputum total and differential WBC and IL-8 measurement at the timeof enrollment. All females of child bearing potential have a pregnancytest as part of their initial examination and are asked to continuetheir present method of contraception for the duration of the study.Subjects have a repeat sputum, CBC, serum cotinine, spirometry, andphysical examination again at 4 weeks at the termination of the study.All patients complete daily symptom diaries and perform morning peakflow rates using a Wright mini-peak flow device.

Patient inclusion criteria are as follows: 1) age 18-75; 2) chronicbronchitis; 3) COPD; 4) former cigarette smoker who has recently stoppedwithin four weeks; 5) the subject is willing to maintain smokingabstinence for the duration of the study period; 6) the subject iswilling to complete daily diaries and complete other aspects of studyparticipation, i.e., clinic visits, etc.; and 7) initial sputum totalneutrophil count of at least 5.0×10⁵ cells. (WBC counted/count volume xsputum volume x % sputum neutrophils)

Patient exclusion criteria are as follows: 1) an acute respiratoryinfection within 4 weeks; 2) the presence of any other chronic lungdisease such as pulmonary fibrosis, chronic infectious process,hypersensitivity pneumonitis, bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis,sarcoidosis, or cystic fibrosis; 3) evidence or suspicion of oralpharyngeal, laryngeal, or lung cancer; 4) recent hemoptysis within 4weeks; 5) a history of allergy to lidocaine; 6) pregnant or lactatingfemales; 7) evidence of chronic cardiovascular or liver diseaserequiring regular medication; 8) a pre bronchodilator FEV1 of <40% ofpredicted; 9) using either topical or systemic glucocorticoid medicationwithin the previous 4 weeks; 10) using potent anti-inflammatorymedications such as immuran, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, gold,anti-malarial, or any cancer chemotherapeutic agent within the previous4 weeks; 11) having taken leukotriene modifying agents within theprevious 2 weeks; and 12) having taken any immunomodfier agent such asInterferon gamma or alpha within the previous 2 months.

Study Design:

Treatment of Neutrophilic Airway Inflammation in Chronic Bronchitis andCOPD

Sputum Induction and Analysis:

Analysis of induced sputum has been shown to be accurate, reproducible,noninvasive, and reflects the type and degree of lung airwayinflammation. Yamamoto, C. et al., Chest 112:505-510 (1997); Peleman, R.A. et al., Eur. Resp. Journal 13:839-843 (1999); Gibson, P. G. et al.,Thorax 44:693-699 (1989). Induction, collection, and processing ofsputum is performed according to the method of Pin and Hargreave.Briefly, if the patient is unable to spontaneously produce a 5 cc sputumsample, sputum induction is performed using ultrasonically nebulizedhypertonic saline administered in progressive 2 minute incrementsfollowed by attempts to cough and produce sputum. The nebulizationcontinues until a total of 12 minutes have elapsed or the patientproduces 5 cc of sputum. The initial specimen is collected in a 50 mlconical tube, vortexed and 1 cc of the sputum is aspirated and placed onice for cytokine analysis. The remaining volume is weighed, and mixedwith equal volumes of dithiothreitol, vortexed, then rocked for 15 minat 37° C. with frequent vortexing. The specimen is analyzed for totaland differential cell counting.

Interleukin-8 Assay:

The untreated portion of the sputum, as described above, is mixed withan equal volume of normal saline, vortexed, and then centrifuged at10⁴×g for minutes. The supernatant is frozen at −70° C. for lateranalysis of IL-8. IL-8 is measured using a commercially availablespecific ELISA (R&D Systems Europe Ltd., Abingdon, UK).

Spirometric Pulmonary Function Testing:

FEV1 and FVC are obtained using the best of three efforts before andafter albuterol bronchodilation using a MedGraphics Pulmonary FunctionApparatus. Subjects perform efforts in a sitting position andspirometric methods are performed in accordance with American ThoracicSociety criteria for acceptability and reproducibility. Standardizationof Spirometry 1987 Update, Am. Rev. Respir. Dis., 136, 1285 (1987).

Outcome Variables and Statistical Analysis:

The primary outcome variables are sputum total and neutrophil cellcount, sputum IL-8 concentrations, sputum volume, symptom scores,peripheral blood total white and neutrophil counts, and FEV 1 and FVCmeasurements. Comparisons are made between the placebo and controlgroups using unpaired, two-tailed t analysis, and comparisons of patientdata at the start of the study to those measurements obtained after 4weeks of either lidocaine or placebo are made by paired two-tailed tanalysis. Symptom scores are summed on a daily basis and a total weeklyscore is computed by summation of daily scores. Comparisons of symptomscores are made between and within groups for each of the weeklyintervals. Dropouts are not replaced in the study. The dropout number iscompared between the two groups at the end of the study, and the studyweek that the patient dropped out in each group is also compared.

Patient Safety and Risk Reduction:

All subjects receive their first nebulization procedure underobservation with recording of before and after nebulization FEV1. Aslidocaine is a topical anesthetic and when nebulized results intemporary laryngeal numbness, all subjects are asked to not eat for 15minutes before and one hour after each nebulization to reduce the riskof aspiration of ingested solids or liquids.

Lidocaine toxicity is related to serum concentration and does not occuruntil serum concentrations exceed 5-6 μg/ml. It has been found, using aPARI II nebulizing device, that nebulization of up to 375 mg over 10minutes in four normal subjects and four patients with asthma resultedin a serum concentration of >1 μg/ml, namely 1.5 μg/ml, in only onepatient out of eight. Others have shown similar results with laryngealspraying or direct bronchial instillation of lidocaine. Scott, D. B. etal., Br J Anaesth. 48:899-902 (1976); Chinn, W. M. et al., Chest71:346-348 (1977).

If subjects develop increasing shortness of breath, sputum volume, orchest tightness, they report to the clinic for an examination andpulmonary function measurement. If their peak flow rate or FEV1 hasfallen more than 25% below their personal best recording; they aredropped from the study. Any patients who are thus dropped, or because ofincreased symptoms or medication intolerance believe that they cannotcontinue with the study are arbitrarily assigned the highest symptomscore of 12 for the final day in which they participated in the study.An examination, spirometry, CBC, and sputum analysis is obtained at thetime of dropout. These patients receive antibiotics or other medicationsas needed for their exacerbation and are monitored at weekly intervalsuntil they have resumed their baseline status. Patients who believe theyhave contracted a respiratory infection record these symptoms in theirdiaries and are not dropped unless they have pulmonary functionreduction as described above or believe that they cannot continue.

Patients who have long-term tobacco exposure are at risk for upper andlower airway cancer. The larynx and mouth are inspected thoroughlyduring the examinations, and all patients over the age of 45 receive aCXR if they have not had one in the preceding 12 months.

Any subject who cannot maintain smoking abstinence for the one monthstudy period is dropped from the study.

Results

Preliminary data have recently been obtained that indicate thatnebulized lidocaine is effective in treatment of sputum neutrophilia inpatients with chronic protracted post-viral or post-irritant cough. Sixsuch patients are shown in Table 1 and FIGS. 4 and 5. Table 2 providesinformation regarding normal values. Each showed reduction of sputumneutrophils after four weeks of nebulized lidocaine which coincided withclearing of their cough. These patients had been symptomatic for 8-72weeks and all had failed to respond to topical glucocorticoids andmultiple courses of antibiotics.

TABLE 1 wbc wbc pmn pmn eos eos before after before after before after 26,050,000 1,600,000 3,569,000 352,000 484,000 96,000 1 2,700,0002,808,000 1,566,000 617,760 12,798 2,808 3 34,620,00 85,000 2,772,00079,900 1,384,200 0 4 4,760,000 4,480,300 4,093,400 1,612,800 0 134,400 52,512,500 2,120,000 1,256,250 551,200 0 42,500 7 3,330,000 1,160,0001,032,200 568,400 0 0

TABLE 2 Normal Values Unidentified Name WBC Squamous LymphocyteEosinophil Macro- Squamous Ciliated (cell/100 Normals Sex Age Amount(cell × 106) (cell × 106) PMN % % % phage % Columnar WBC) 1 M 43 3 0.490.46 49 6 1 6 18 16 2 M 54 3 1.2 0.926 15 5 0 5 40 15 20 3 F 35 7 0.4350.084 47 22 0 14 9 0 8 4 F 42 5 0.108 0.104 28 7 0 19 45 1 5 F 46 50.148 0.148 32 4 0 11 21 32 6 M 52 5 0.112 0.16 35 18 0 5 36 5 7 M 28 50.048 0.5 10 2 0 1 85 2 8 M 29 3 1.32 0.16 40 3 0 17 19 21 9 M 40 70.146 0.348 45 3 0 14 33 1 10 M 37 5 0.082 0.44 11 0 0 0 89 0 8 11 F 235 0.304 0.154 19 1 1 14 33 32 36 12 M 33 5 0.528 0.154 65 7 0 8 17 2 3813 M 36 3.5 1.79 0.187 61 9 0 22 6 2 19 14 F 61 2.5 0.543 0.297 25 2 540 25 3 25 15 M 37 5 0.956 0.384 46 4 1 6 43 5 16 F 48 3.5 0.126 0.06 425 0 8 43 2 6 17 M 40 7 0.291 0.205 30 2 0 16 38 14 7 18 F 32 3 1.16 1.0731 4 0 10 47 8 3 4.6 0.544 0.325 35.1 5.8 0.4 12 35.9 9.2 1.2 0.41 0.2113 3.8 0.7 6.7 15.8 8.8 0.52 0.28 15.8 5.7 1.2 9.3 22.4 10.8

EXAMPLE 4 Lidocaine Effects on the Stimulation and Degranulation ofNeutrophils

Neutrophils are white blood cells that provide a line of defense againstacute bacterial or fungal infections and are also important in numerousinflammatory conditions. Via degranulation and fusion of such granuleswith phagosomes, neutrophils destroy invading microorganisms. However,neutrophils concomitantly release granules extracellularly which caninduce tissue damage and amplification of inflammatory response.

Inflammation of neutrophils and their extracellular release of granuleproteins are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatorylung disorders including COPD, Chronic Bronchitis and CF. Targets ofneutrophils include the lung and bronchial epithelium. Previous studieshave revealed that the release of O₂— and serine proteinases (i.e.,elastase) affect the integrity of the epithelial layer, decrease thefrequency of ciliary beat, increase secretion of mucus, and induceneutrophil-dominated inflammation. Hiemstra, P. S. et al., EuropeanRespiratory Journal 12:1200 (1998).

Previously, it was discovered that lidocaine exerted a useful effect onpatients with severe asthma. In a clinical trial, twenty patients withsevere asthma received 100 mg nebulized lidocaine ×4 qd. As a result aresult of this treatment, seventeen patients were able to discontinue orreduce the use of oral GC by 80%. Furthermore, lidocaine was found tohave minimal side effects.

Methods

Neutrophils were isolated in a Percoll gradient to remove PBMC. Redblood cells were lysed and neutrophils were collected from thegranulocyte pellet at an average of 91.3% purity.

The extracellular superoxide assay (Cytochrome C method) was performedas follows: 1) The wells of a 96-well plate were blocked with 50 ul of1% HSA for at least 2 hours at 37° C. 2) The Cytochrome C mix (#C-2506,Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) was prepared as follows: 2.4 mgs of Cytochrome Cwas resuspended in 1 mL HBSS/HEPES (pH 7.4). One mL of CytoC mix wasrequired for every 0.5×10⁶ cells used in the assay. 3) The blocked cellsof the 96 well plate were washed twice with 200 μL saline. 4) 4×stimulus and inhibitor stocks were prepared HBSS/HEPES. The cells wereresuspended in CytoC mix to 0.5×10⁶ cells/mL and kept on ice until readyfor use. 5) The final volume in all wells was 200 μL: 100 μl cell/CytoCmix suspension per well (0.05×10⁶ cells/well); 50 μL stimulus (ifpresent) per well and 50 μL inhibitor (if present) per well. If stimulusand/or inhibitor was not required for a well, the volume was made upwith HBSS/HEPES so that the total volume in the well was 200 μL. 6)Stimuli, inhibitors and cells were added to the wells in the followingorder: 1) media filler; 2) inhibitors; 3) cells; and 4) stimuli. 7) The96 well plate was placed in a ThermoMax plate reader and the OD₅₅₀ wasread at 37° C. The plate was read at time 0 and then every 10 minutesfor 1 hour, then every 30 minutes for 3 hours. 8) The concentration ofsuperoxide released was calculated by using the following formula tocalculate the nmol of Cytochrome C reduced: 19.1*[OD₅₅₀(timex)−OD₅₅₀(time 0)]/0.05=nmol Cytochrome C reduced per 1×10⁶ cells=nmolsuperoxide released per 1×10⁶ cells.

To measure lactoferrin, an ELSIA kit was purchased from Calbiochem (SanDiego, Calif.) and the protocols and procedures were followed therein.

Results and Discussion

The following stimuli were screened: granulocyte colony stimulatingfactor (G-CSF); granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF); interferon gamma (γ) (IFN-γ); interleukin 8 (IL-8); tumornecrosis factor α (TNF-α); C5a (component of the complement system);f-met-leu-phe (peptide; fMLP); leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄); plateletactivating factor (PAF); immunoglobulin G (IgG); serum opsonized zymosan(SOZ); and activation of PKC (PMA). C5a, GM-CSF, fMLP, TNF-α, IgG, PAF,SOZ, PMA all stimulated the neutrophils to release extracellularsuperoxide, while 5 ug/mL G-CSF, 100 ng/mL, 1 ug/mL IFN-γ, 0.5, 1 and 10ng/mL IL-8 and 100 nM and 1 uM LTB₄ did not stimulate the neutrophils torelease extracellular superoxide. It was demonstrated that lidocaineinhibits the stimulation of neutrophils in a dose dependent manner byall stimuli with the exception of PMA (summary of C5a stimulation andinhibition by lidocaine is depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B).

When neutrophils begin to invade injured tissue, feedback control ofinflammation begins with degranulation of neutrophils and massiverelease of lactoferrin. The amount of lactoferrin released fromneutrophils stimulated with PMA, TNF-α and PAF was measured. It wasdetermined that lidocaine significantly inhibits lactoferrin release inneutrophils that are stimulated with TNF and may have an effect onlactoferrin release in PMA stimulated neutrophils (FIG. 7).

Thus, lidocaine obstructed the stimulation and degranulation ofneutrophils.

All publications and patents are herein incorporated by reference to thesame extent as if each individual publication or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.Specifically, the literature and patents incorporated by reference inthe section on “Topical Anesthetics” are incorporated for their teachingof analogs, salts and derivatives of the anesthetics specificallydisclosed herein, which can also be used in the present invention. Itwill be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changesand modifications can be made in the invention without departing fromthe scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for treating a neutrophil-associated pulmonary diseasecomprising locally administering to the respiratory tract of anafflicted human an amount of a therapeutic preparation comprising atopical anesthetic effective to counteract the symptoms of the disease,wherein the topical anesthetic is an aminoalkylbenzoate, wherein thedisease is caused by neutrophilic inflammation and is selected fromchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis (CB),cystic fibrosis, α-1 antitrypsin deficiency, pulmonary emphysema, adultrespiratory distress syndrome, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the therapeutic preparation is administered incombination with a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid vehicle.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the therapeutic preparation is administered byspraying or by nebulization.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein thetopical anesthetic is administered at a daily dose of about 2.0-15mg/kg.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the topical anesthetic is anester between a carboxylic acid of the general formula:(R²) (R³)ArCO₂H, wherein Ar is C₆H₃ and each R² and R³ is H, halo, (R¹)(H)N—, wherein R¹ is (C₁-C₅)alkyl, H₂N—, or (C₂-C₅)alkoxy; and analcohol of the general formula:(R⁴) (R⁵)N(X)OH wherein X is a (C₁-C₅) branched- or straight-chainalkylene; R⁴ is H or (C₁-C₄)alkyl, R⁵ is (C₁-C₄)alkyl, or R⁴ and R⁵taken together can be a 5- or 6-membered heterocycloalkiphatic ring,optionally substituted by (C₁-C₃)alkyl or comprising an additional ringO- or N-atom; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the topical anesthetic is anaminoalkylbenzoate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the topical anesthetic is procaine,chloroprocaine, dyclonine, tetracaine, benoxinate, proparacaine,meprylcaine, piperocaine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.